“Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy” (Ex.20:8). Sabbath is a day set aside for rest and worship.
Work Load Sabbath
Exhausted from work—unsurprisingly human resources are not unlimited and burnt-out happens. Depletion of energy prevents the ability and commitment to be an active member of one’s family, community and congregation. Pastors often feel on call 24/7, expected to be compassionate with everybody, and places unrealistic expectations for success on oneself. Work Load Sabbath causes defeatism and depression. Impulsive and at times destructive behaviors can affect the pastor as well as everyone around him or her.
At this state, worship is usually not a time of praise but of lament.
Medical Sabbath
Becoming sick—expectedly the over-stressed body and mind lead to physical illness. Needing medical care to intervene over many years of work is an unsustainable treatment and serves as warning sign to the need for major changes to happen. Selecting healthy food options perhaps eating a plant-based diet and participating in regular exercise would aid in preventing illnesses and diseases. When emergency assistance is warranted, MMBB may provide help.
Worship is for health on oneself.
Weekly Sabbath
Monday day-off—normally most pastors receive at least one day a week for a day-off. Ideally taking one entire day to participate in non-church related activities provides for recreation, restoration and rejuvenation. Spending this day with family and friends creates an alternative reality of life outside of the church. A pastor also benefits from a “study day” to prepare for next Sunday’s message, for personal prayer and meditation.
Over many years, keeping balance, developing routines and using best practices to engage in weekly Sabbath would sustain the joy of ministry and maintain good health. During these years, keeping the Sabbath when finding a mate, home and work, knowing the meaning of work, facing midlife questions, raising a family and discovering one’s role in the larger society is critical in order to persevere.
Worship is praising God for family, friends, and the congregation.
Planned Sabbath
Sabbatical period—typically a pastor is granted a planned sabbatical every 7 years of service. The church usually covers the expenses of the sabbatical leave including the cost of pulpit supply. After the sabbatical program is completed, a report of learning and experiences is submitted to the church. Attending a continuing education event annually allows for exposure to new ideas and skills development. Regular clergy groups (TIM-Together in Ministry), pastoral support groups and the yearly Asian Colloquium are examples of planned Sabbath.
By completing a sabbatical, worship is praising a living God who is still remaking you.
Timely Sabbath
Jubilee time—biblically the land is allowed to fallow to regain health after 50 years of producing. During the years of ministry, pastors acknowledge when it is time to move on or be opened to God’s calling realizing that re-creation and renewal are necessary. This season of discernment is for one to rededicate oneself to ministry or become receptive in exploring other vocations. In humility, one realizes that it has always been God first and foremost and that we are thankful to have been given the privilege of being a part of God’s work.
Worship is praying that under God’s heaven, there’s a season for everything.
Disruptive Sabbath
Interruptive time—disturbingly are times when the desirable course of life is off the rail such as resignation or termination from employment, marital discord and divorce, and catastrophic occurrences that stop one on their tracks. Shocked and paralyzed, enormous energy is allocated to get back on track toward as much normalcy as possible. While this may not be a restful time, unwelcome Sabbath is nevertheless a time of in-between-ness or not knowing what to do next. Time is spent on strategic triage and possibly meeting with a spiritual guide.
Worship focuses on discerning a clear way toward the next destination.
Welcome Sabbath
Retirement—typically after 40 years of work beginning at age 25 and concluding at 65, paid work is over. Contributing regularly to a retirement plan with compounding growth permits sufficient funds to continue living a comfortable lifestyle. The financial planning services offered by MMBB are a valuable asset to preparing for retirement. If one hasn’t already taking time and giving attention to matters of creating a living trust, writing a will, distributing personal assets, completing health care directives, and purchasing cemetery property are now in order. The next 15-20 years in retirement are opportunities for travel, volunteerism, encore careers and offering wisdom on life’s lessons to next generations.
Worship is celebrating good health, endurance and long-suffering to enjoy God’s blessings.
Hospice Sabbath
Mortal awareness—hopefully when time comes in valuing living gives way to the reality of death, these days offer moments of thanksgiving, appreciation, farewell and love. One receives the blessing of each breath taken as the body systems begin to shut down. Perhaps after officiating many funerals in one’s ministry, the pastor in hospice may have the opportunity to design and plan one’s own memorial service. One MMBB benefit is $4000 for your funeral arrangements. This Sabbath gives rest to loved ones to cherish the moments next to the bedside and anticipate what is to come.
Worship is trusting in God that all is well.
Final Sabbath
Heavenly reward—prayerfully living on earth extends beyond to eternal living in heaven joining all the saints in God’s realm. The remembrance of the legacy and life-lived would continue to bless future generations of the value of Sabbath as they gathered in memory of a life well lived. One becomes the reason for Sabbath. Visiting the cemetery and practicing rituals of honor and remembrance are Sabbath times for the living descendants as long as they continue to remember.
Worship is remembering and the celebration of life.
Can you think of other kinds of Sabbath?
Don Ng, 8.29.2019—Presented at the 2019 Asian Colloquium, August 26-29, Orlando, FL.